"Sustainable North Berwick" sent questions to Riverside Farm to learn more about their operation. Vice President Ryan Tuttle took time to answer and discuss.
Follow Sustainable North Berwick on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PMn6RijLV/
Follow Riverside Farmstand & Greenhouse on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSAFARM
Check out their website: https://www.riversidefarmstand.com/
Introduction:
Ryan Tuttle, Vice President of Riverside Farm, answered some questions on their farming operation with special attention given to ongoing sustainable practices. The North Berwick community is obviously quite familiar with Riverside Farm, as it has been a diversified local operation since 1743 before the town of North Berwick was set off and incorporated. Being an operation spanning nearly 300 years, a well-respected pillar of the town, likely has required more than one interpretation of sustainability throughout the years and perhaps a few such iterations. With a degree in Sustainable Agriculture, and generations of experience behind his answers, Ryan shares some information on the current operation, discusses some trends, and touches on some goals for the future.
I’d like to preface Ryan’s tremendous answers by first explaining my interest in local, sustainable agriculture. I grew up in a small, rural town in upstate New York, less than half of the population of North Berwick. Most of our anemic local economy consisted of small-sized agricultural operations, maybe a handful of mid-sized operations. Many of my friends in school were multi-generation farmers and we all got jobs in the summer tossing hay or picking rocks from crop fields or cleaning out barns and so on. If we knew how to farm, or if we were in the FFA, then the summer opportunities were obviously a bit better. That wasn’t for me though. And I wasn’t planning to stick around after graduation.
Sadly, my flight from the tiny farm town was not uncommon. Costs for small and mid-sized farm operations steadily increased, and the census data has reported not just stagnation, but unflinching population decline over the past twenty years in my hometown. In fact, the population is less today in 2020 than it was in 1820, which was not all that robust even in those days. As the economic situation continues to worsen and pressure for large agribusiness consolidation increases, there is a noticeable misalignment between prudent land management practices and financial incentives. And despite the ubiquity of agriculture in this area, or maybe because of it, many consumers are not inclined, or unable, to select their food products based on anything other than price. I don’t consider myself an expert on these matters, or someone who is “in the know”, but I can feel the struggle every time I take my family to my hometown for the holidays.
My interest in sustainability therefore, because of where I was raised, dwells on rural economic models centered around sustainable agriculture, primarily small to mid-sized farming operations, where that community’s financial incentives are aligned with holistic, responsible land management and local trade. Whether a town is expanding or contracting will often dictate the vibrance, culture, and longevity of the inhabiting community, and vice versa too, and then all these things in turn will influence the local fabric of art, business, politics, land management, and so on. It thus holds that we can observe local sustainable agriculture as a measure of our community’s health and vitality. If the farms around you are all farming like there is no tomorrow, or if the farms have all abandoned their plows in arid fields, then it should give you a pause. North Berwick, unlike my hometown, is a place of decades-long population expansion. There is an active and engaging community that has been both warm and hospitable to my family. At least some of that vibrant local culture, and I actually suspect quite a lot, is owed in part to the anchored presence of Riverside Farm and other local agricultural stalwarts. Look to these local farming operations practicing Sustainable Agriculture to get your recommended dose of persistence, adaptability, and "in it for the long haul" attitude.
When my family bought our house in North Berwick, our realtor, who was also a North Berwick resident at the time, told us all the things she loved about the town. Just after her glowing review of the schools came the jubilant praise of Riverside Farm and the Farmstand. Very quickly my family became regular patrons at the Riverside Farmstand. When I started the Facebook group “Sustainable North Berwick” it had always been a part of the plan to ask all sorts of local business owners about their efforts toward sustainability. As a regular consumer of Riverside Farm groceries, and observing their significant role in the community, I thought Riverside would be a great place to start with some questions. I’m very appreciative of Ryan and Kathleen for taking the time in putting this together!
Questions & Answers:
What is the history of the farm? Has it always been a family operation? How long has the farm stand been open?
Riverside Farm has been in operation since 1743 and has changed a lot over that time. It's always been a diversified operation. In the past there were sugar beets raised to be shipped to Boston for processing, livestock, dairy cows, vegetables, and tree crops. It has always been run by my family - the Dennett’s and Tuttle’s. We opened the current farmstand in the 90's. Previously my dad ran a much smaller one in the same location.
How many acres is the farm? How many acres are used in food production? How much food does the farm produce and how is overall production measured? Is production efficiency measured, and if so, how is that calculated?
The total acreage of the farm now is under 200 acres. We've given some land to my siblings in the last decade. We grow on about 30 - 40 acres now. We don't track the total tonnage of crops produced. Efficiency is tracked only against the experience of my father and my decades of experience and knowing about how long a task should take, or how much of any crop should be able to be harvested in a given amount of time.
Are there noticeable trends in production efficiency over the past 5yrs, 10yrs, 20yrs, and so on? Can you determine any causes to change in yield?
Many of the gains in efficiency we've experienced have come from mechanization to reduce hand labor. Yields are variable and probably influenced more by the changing weather patterns than by our management practices.
What was the top priority of the farm in the past, for example profit, product quality, sustainability, or other? What is the top priority going forward?
Obviously, profitability always has to be a top priority- a family farm is still a business. We do pride ourselves in offering a high-quality product so that's always a consideration. Being a nearly 300 year old business sustainability is a major priority. We're in this for the long haul. Those are the same priorities I will carry on when I take over the farm.
What goes into the decision making whether to offer organic vs. non-organic produce to consumers? Have you ever been Certified Organic, or do you intend to in the future?
I strive to grow without the use of synthetic sprays and fertilizers, but I don't have any interest in going through the certification process at the time. Where we sell most of our produce directly to consumers, I would rather just inform them of our growing practices than go through a third party to earn a label.
Does Riverside record data on soil quality, compaction, composition, nutrient density, acidity, etc.? If so, how is that measured and are there any trends? Has there been a need for regenerative practices and if so, can you explain the process and results?
We take soil tests that record most of that. We do not test for compaction but can notice it in the crops if it becomes an issue. We already do soil preservation practices such as crop rotation and cover cropping. I plan to implement cover cropping much more in the future.
Does Riverside monitor and record water consumption and demand? If so, how is that measured and are there any trends? Has there been any efforts to reduce water consumption and demand and if so, can you explain the process and results?
We are not currently required to record our water consumption. The only trend has been that water needs seem to be more erratic, with either droughts or major rainfall events becoming the new normal.
Does Riverside monitor and record carbon footprint in any manner? If so, how is that measured and are there any trends? Has there been any efforts to reduce carbon footprint and if so, can you explain the process and results?
No, we don't measure our carbon footprint. There is a lot of talk right now about carbon credits for large commodity farms but that's not common in small, diversified vegetable operations.
Does Riverside use composting, at any scale, or organic fertilizers as part of their production operation? If so, can you explain the process and results?
I only use compost in our high tunnels where the land is in constant production. Quality compost is prohibitively expensive at our scale and, honestly, I am hesitant to import any outside sources of organic matter onto the farm due to contamination issues. I believe taking land out of production and growing a cover crop far superior to adding compost which is what I am focusing on for the future. I do use organic fertilizers for the crops that I grow.
Does Riverside monitor and record the use of synthetic fertilizers in their production operation? If so, how is that measured and are there any trends? Has there been any efforts to reduce synthetic fertilizers and if so, can you explain the process and results?
Yes, any synthetic fertilizers are measured. I do plan to reduce or eliminate their use in the future if possible.
What are the Pest Management procedures used at Riverside in production operations? Does Riverside monitor and record the use of pesticides in production operations? If so, how is that measured and are there any trends? Has there been any efforts to reduce pesticide use and if so, can you explain the process and results?
Any synthetic pesticide use is recorded. We do use IPM and other strategies to reduce their use. We also use beneficial insects in the greenhouses, row covers and netting to exclude pests, and organically approved pesticides when possible.
Does Riverside have a position on Sustainable Agriculture? Does Riverside consider their farm operation to be Sustainable currently, does it intend to become more Sustainable going forward?
My degree is in sustainable agriculture so it's an important aspect of the farm for me. I'd say we are sustainable now but that there are always improvements that could be made. And yes, I hope to be as sustainable and regenerative as possible in the future.
Does Riverside have a position on supporting local farms and local businesses? How has Riverside supported local businesses in past procurement decisions, or how does it intend to going forward?
We have a 'rising tide raises all ships' when it comes to local farms. Of course, there is a level of competition there, but we view them as friends sharing the same goal rather than adversaries. There is plenty of room in the seacoast for all the farms here to thrive and even room for many more in my opinion. I have served as president of the Seacoast Growers Association when it ran the local markets, and my dad has a lifetime of service for various farming groups in support of agriculture. We also source a lot of local products for our farm stand.
Does Riverside have a position on Climate Change? Are microclimates, weather, or any climate data at Riverside monitored or recorded? If so, how is that measured and are there any trends? Have there been any efforts to modify area microclimates and if so, can you explain the process and results?
We don't measure climate change ourselves but, working with nature as we do, we are very aware of it. Some of the measures I'm currently or plan to implement to help mitigate those changes are more protected culture, drainage, and irrigation projects on the farm.
Does Riverside monitor and record the cost to acreage yield? If so, how is that measured and are there any trends? Do you reason that production costs will rise or fall going forward; in 5yrs, 10yrs, 20yrs?
We don't do production budgets for every crop, but we have an overall idea based on our costs and yield. Production costs have risen over the years, especially in recent years, which is a trend that I see continuing.
What do you enjoy most about agriculture, and what do you enjoy least? Does Riverside have a position on the future of agribusiness, on any scale? How does your family shop for the food you consume?
What I most love about agriculture is being able to work outside, with nature. Seeing seeds sprout never gets old for me. I love producing food for people and doing honest work that I can be proud of. What I enjoy the least is how hard it is to make a living at it.
Sadly, I think the overall trend of small and family farms going out of business while large corporate farms continue to increase in size will continue. But I do have hope that there are new models out there that will allow more young people to get involved in farming, I think the interest is definitely there.
We eat a lot of the food that we produce and try to supplement that with products from other local farms for items we don't grow ourselves. But we're not 100% locavores, we do shop at the grocery store too.
Thanks for reading!
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